Thomas Forsyth and the Lands of Struthers (1642)
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Sometimes, a name tucked into a legal document opens a window into the lives of our Forsyth ancestors. Such is the case with Thomas Forsyth, who appears in a royal charter dated 9 August 1642, recorded in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland.
In this charter, King Charles I confirmed a grant of lands to Joanni Sutherland of Kinsterie, including territories in the regality of Kinloss, Moray. Among the lands described are the lands of Struthers, and notably, a small adjoining parcel that had once been occupied by “Rob. Torries and Thomas Forsyth, alias Cowie.”
This reference may seem minor, but it tells us several things:
Thomas Forsyth was active in this region of northern Scotland in the early 17th century.
His alias, “Cowie,” likely refers to a territorial connection—a hamlet or estate name, possibly indicating where he came from or was associated with.
The land he occupied was valuable enough to be noted in a royal confirmation of property, showing the Forsyths had a presence in matters of landholding or tenancy tied to the noble families of the time.
Source: Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, Volume 9, Charter No. 1270 (page 453), dated 1642.
🔍 Why It Matters
Records like this don’t just list property—they show where people lived, whom they were associated with, and how they were woven into the broader fabric of Scottish society. While Thomas Forsyth may not have been the noble recipient of this grant, his name endures in the legal memory of the land, and through it, we get a glimpse of the Forsyths in 17th-century Scotland.
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